Toy ferris wheel



March 2, 1948.

c 1.. MCBRIDE TOY FERRIS WHEEL Filed Aug. 15, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR, Clm'ksLM- Bnde;

March 2, 1948. c, MCBRIDE 2,437,000

TOY FEBRIS WHEEL v Filed 15 194 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 .INVENTOR,

g I I ATTO March 2, 1948. c. MCBRIDE 2,437,000

' TOY FERRIS WHEEL Filed Aug. 15, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR,

Cgz arhLM l3ride;

March 2, 19 48. v c, MCBRIDE 2,437,000

TOY FERRIS WHEEL Filed Aug, 13, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 2, 1948. c.L. "MCBRIDE 2,437,000

TOY FERRIS WHEEL Filed Aug. 13, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 u 95 I w m .51 51'&I i

55 47 a 45, 4 I v IE'E i ,7 g l l 5 mx 1w\\ \1 as 82 34 40 a4 82 65 6'4INVENTOR,

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March 2, 1948. QLMCBRID 2,437,000

TOY FERRIS WHEEL v g 13' 8 Sheets-Sheet [N V EN TOR;

-i f Clzm'les L.M Bride;,

Patented Mar. 2, 1948 TOY reams WHEEL Charles L. McBride, Tampa, Fla.,assignor to Joy Toys, 1110., Tampa, Fla, a corporation of FloridaApplication August 13, 1946, Serial No. 690,152

16 Claims. (01. 272-38) This invention relates to amusement apparatusand more particularly to toy Ferris wheels.

The prior art Ferris wheels are more or less completely concerned withfull scale amusement park apparatus. The construction of these wheels isnot well adapted either from the standpoint of efficiency or of economyfor reproduction in small scale apparatus suchas toys.

Having in mind the defects of the prior art apparatus, it i an objectiveof this invention to provide a small scale Ferris wheel device, for useas a toy, that is simple and economical in construction and operationwhile being interesting to control and attractive to watch when inoperation. It is contemplated that a structure comprising two wheelsmounted on the ends of a rotating boom may comprise a single drive forrotating each of the wheels and the boom along with control means foradapting the drive to rotate either of the wheels or the boom separatelyor in any desired combination. It is desirable to enhance the appearanceof the apparatus, particularly when it is in operation, by means ofillumination associated with the moving parts of the apparatus and toprovide a simple and economical but efficient electric supply for themeans of illumination, including a unique arrangement for transferringcurrent from one to the other of relatively movable parts.

The foregoing objects and others ancillary thereto are preferablyaccomplished, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, bydisposing two wheels on the ends of a boom which is pivotally mounted,centrally thereof, on a stationary upright standard, and selectivelydriving each of the wheels or the boom separately or in combination froma single drive Specifically, two wheels of the usual Ferris wheel typeare pivotally mounted on the bifurcated ends of a boom and have beveledgears fixed on their shafts. The boom i pivotally mounted at its centeron a shaft supported by the upper ends of a bifurcated tower. A bevelgear is fixed on the boom shaft, and two double bevel gears aresupported by anti-friction bearlngs, mounted on the shaft which permitfree rotation of the double bevels relative to the boom shaft. Twoshafts are mounted longitudinally of the boom having small bevels fixedon their ends and in mesh respectively with bevel gears fixed on thewheel shafts and with one side of each of the double bevels, Threeupright drive shafts have bevels on their upper ends in meshrespectively with the bevel on the boom shaft and the opposite sides ofeach of the double bevels from that of the aforementioned shaftsconnecting the wheels with the double bevels. By this arrangement, eachof the wheels or the boom may be separately rotated in accordance withthe drive transmitted by the three vertical shafts.

Each of the three vertical shafts are driven by a single power shaft butare associated therewith in such a manner that any one of the threemaybe disconnected therefrom. This drive system may be accomplished bydifferent arrangements, however, they may all incorporate the basicconcept of employing solenoids for disconnecting the different drivegears. In one of these arrangements, the vertical boom drive shaft isprovided with a worm gear meshing with a worm carried by the freeelements of a clutch mounted on the power shaft. The free clutch elementis resiliently urged into engagement with a driven element fixed on saidpower shaft and is adapted to be disengaged b a lever operable by anelectromagnet, such as a solenoid. The upright wheel drive shafts aresuspended in their upper bearings and have their lower ends journaled inlevers that may be swung to engage or disengage worm gears on saidshafts and worms on the power shaft. Solenoids are connected with saidlevers to swing the bottoms of the shafts to disengage their worm gearfrom said worms In the other arrangement, all three of the uprightshafts are swingably mounted and bevel gears are employed rather thanworms and worm gears. This latter construction permits the uprightshafts to be mounted in a line directly above the horizontal driveshaft.

It would appear that the wheels and the boom would cease rotation whentheir respective drive shafts were disengaged from the power shaft. Suchis not the case, however, particularly with heavier constructions, dueto the fact that momentum causes continued rotation for some time and,in addition, if at least one of the shafts is retained in drivingengagement, frictional forces also tend to continue rotation of memberswhich have been disengaged from their respective drive. As long as partof the apparatus is being driven, momentum and friction tend, to adegree, to continue rotation of other parts of the apparatus.Accordingly, it is desirable with heavier constructions, to providebreaking means for stopping rotation of the wheels or the boom upondisengagement of their respective drive shafts from the power shaft. Thebraking means are most conveniently and simply arranged to cooperatewith the lower ends of the drive shafts. in the lighter construction,the brake means may be provided for the boom only.

For the wheel shafts the brake may be in the form of a fixed tooth orstop that is positioned so as to be engaged by the worm gear when it isswung out of engagement with the worm, and thus be held against furtherrotation. Due to the weight and'momentum of the boom, however, afriction type of brake is preferred so as to prevent sudden stops thatmight be harmful to the apparatus. To accomplish this, a pair offriction blocks are positioned astride the upright boom shaft and areretained in constantfrictional engagement therewith so thatthe shaft "isactually driven in opposition to this braking action. Consequently, whenthe clutch is disen- Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view in elevation of theboom drive shaft and its associated worm gear with the one-way clutchtherebetween;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in cross section through the end of one ofthe wheel shafts and showing the current transfer means;

Fig. 12 is a top plan View of a modification of the power drive means;

Fig. 13 is a side View in elevation of the drive means shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side view in elevation of a single Ferris wheel;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line iii-l5 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a detail view in elevation of the drive mechanism forthesingle Ferris wheel.

gaged the boom shaft will not come to a sudden stop, but will slow downgradually. In order to eliminate sudden starts, which are just as uhdesirable as sudden stops, the boom drive shaft has its worm gear freelymounted thereon and connected therewith by means of a free wheelingone-way clutch in the form of a helical spring wrapped around thevertical shaft and having an end fixed to the gear.

In order to enhance the appearance of the apparatus, small electriclights may be mounted on the revolving parts, particularly the wheels.In viewof the fact that aharmless lZ-volt current is used, these lightsmay be grounded to the apparatus, thereby requiring but a single linerunning to the lights. In order to transfer current between therelatively movable parts, a

spring contact is mounted on the supporting part to bear against abutton contact mounted on the end of the shaft carrying the rotatingpart, thereby permitting the transfer of electric current while the twocontacts are rotating or pivoting relative to each other. This structuresupplants the relatively expensive and complicated brush and collectingring arrangement usually employed for transferring current betweenrelatively rotatable members.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its organization and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout and inwhich:

Fig. l is a partial side view in elevation of the upper portions of adual Ferris wheel including a rotatable boom supporting the wheels;

Fig. 2 is an end view in elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the base of the apparatus and the power drivemeans;

Fig. 4 is a side view in elevation of one of the wheel shafts;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in cross section through the drive end ofone of the wheel shafts;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side View in elevation of a boomshaft;

Fig. 7 is a cross section view taken on line '-'i of Fig. 6;" r

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken through a portion of one end ofthe boom shaft;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in elevation and partially incross section of the power shaft and clutch mechanism for driving theboom;

A Ferris wheel to overcome the defects hereinbefore enumerated shouldhave the totally distinct characteristics of comprising a single powersource for selectively driving one or more of a plurality of rotatableelements. Accordingly,

a preferred embodiment of the invention, referring to Fig. 1 of thedrawings, is constituted by an apparatus composed of a pair of wheels l5respectively mounted on shafts [6 which are respectively journaled inbearing members I! supported by the opposite ends of a boom I8 that isfixed on a shaft l 9 journaled in bearing members 28 supported by theupper ends of a bifurcated tower 2i. The wheels l5 are of the usualFerris wheel type and pivotally support a plurality of passengercarriers 22. As both of the wheel structures and apparatus associatedtherewith are identical, no differentiation is made in describing themand the same reference characters are applied to both.

It is desired to rotate each of the wheels l5 about their pivots in theends of the boom l8 and also to rotate the boom on its centralsupporting shaft Hi. In order to accomplish the desired rotation, asbest shown in Figs. 5 and 6, bevel gears 25 are fixed on the wheelshafts l6 and are in mesh with bevel pinions 26 mounted on the outerends of drive shafts 21 which are carried radially by the boom I8. Asmore clearly shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the radial shafts 2'! havebeveled pinions 28 mounted on their inner ends which are in mesh withone bevel of double bevel gears 29 which are supported by the boom shaftl9. The other bevels of the gear 2'9 are driven by bevel pinions 33mounted on the upper ends of upright drive shafts 3|. The boom I8 isrotated by means of a relatively large bevel gear 35 fixed on its shaftl9 and in mesh with a bevel pinion 35 mounted on the upper end of anupright drive shaft 31.

The overall arrangement of the drive is best shown in Fig. 2 wherein theboom I8 is shown in a vertical position so that one of the wheels i5 isin its lower, or, passenger loading and unloading position. The tower 2|is composed of two spaced sections mounted on a base member 40 andhaving bearing portions 20 at their upper ends in which are journaledthe opposite ends of the boom shafts l9. The boom I8 is composed of twoaxially spaced elements having bearing members IT at their outer endsfor journaling the wheel shafts l6 adjacent their ends. The wheels i5are fixed on their shafts l6 between the spaced boom elements and may bespaced from the bearing members I! by collars 23. The bevel gears 25 arefixed on one of the ends of each of the wheel shafts l6, being spacedfrom the adjacent bearing member H by another collar 23. In order toaccommodate the separate wheel drives, the bevel gears v25 are on therespective opposite ends of their shafts I6 so as to be positioned onopposite sides of the boom I8. The radial shafts 21 are mounted on oppsite sides of the boom I8 with each of their inner bevel pinions 28 inmesh with the inner bevels of the double bevel gears 29.

The double bevel gears 29 are freely mounted on the boom shaft I9 andmay be spaced between the opposite sides of the boom I8 and the oppositetower bearing members ill in any desired manner, such as by collars 3.8.As best shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the gear segments of the. gear '29 areformed on the outer race of a concentrio ball bearing. the inner racebeing mounted on the shaft It. The outer beveis of the double bevel ears29 are in mesh with the bevel pinions 30, carried by the upright driveshafts .3 i, so that the drive is transmitted through the gears 29without affect upon the boom shaft I9, the segments of the gears 29merely rotating about their supporting ball bearings. Thus it will beseen that when either of the upright shafts 3| is driven, its pinion sowill drive its associated double bevel gear 29 which in turn will driveits associated radial shaft 21 and thereby drive manner each of thewheels 15 are separately driven so that they may be separatelycontrolled.

Furthermore, the wheel drives are distinct from the boom I8 so that thewheels I may each be driven separately with relation to the boom i8.

As each of the wheels 15 are separately driven, so likewise is'the boomi 8 separately driven so that it may be rotated without relation to thedrive of wheels IS. The large bevel gear 35 is fixed to the boom shaft39 and is in mesh with the bevel pinion which is carried on the upperend of a separate upright drive shaft 31 that is journaled outside ofthe rear section of the tower ZI, Whereas the upright wheel drive shafts3! are journaled inside of their respective tower segments it. Thus whenthe upright shaft 31 is driven, its pin on 36 drives the gear 35 whichthereby drives the boom shaft is to rotate the boom I8 irrespective ofthe drives for'the wheels to. Even though the inner races of the gears29 are rotated with the boom shaft .19, their anti-friction hearingswill preclude transmission of this rotation to the wheel drives. As indicated in Fig. 2, the upright shafts 3i and 3! are driven at their lowerends by means of worms t5 and 46 respectively, mounted on a horizon talpower shaft 41 which is driven through the medium of a worm gear 48mounted thereon and in mesh with a worm 49 fixed on the shaft 59 of asmall electric motor 5!. Thus all of the upright shafts are driven by asingle source of power.

It is desirable to control each of the upright shafts separately, andtherefore means are pro vided for disengaging their drives at will, asbest shown in Fig. 3. The shaft 4'! is journaled in bearing members 55mounted on the base 40, one end of the shaft 4'] extending beyond one ofthe bearing members 55 .to terminate with the worm gear 48. Adjacent theworm gear 48, a driving clutch member 55 is fixed on the shaft 4'! withits mating driven clutch member 5'! mounted between it and the bearingmember 55, reference being made to Fig. 9. The driven clutch member 51includes a sleeve portion 58 on which is mounted the worm 45 for drivingthe upright shaft 3?. A helical spring 59 is compressed between theclutch sleeve 58 and the adjacent bearinc member 55 so asto resilientlyurge'the driven clutch element 51 into engagement with the driv ingclutch element 56.

When the clutch elements 56 and 51 are in driving relationship, the worm46 is then driven and drives a. worm gear 60 mounted on the uprightshaft 37. A yoke portion BI is provided on the clutch sleeve 53 ,tocooperate with a yoke 62 on the end of a lever 63 that is centrallymounted on a pivot '64. The other end of the lever 63 is connected tothe core 56 of a solenoid 51 by link 55. Thus when the solenoid 5'. isenergized to withdraw its core 66, the lever 53 is swung on itspivot fitto swing its yoke 52 against the clutch yoke GI and thereby disengagethe driven clutch member 5! by moving it against the compression of thespring 59. In thismanner, the rotation of the boom I8 is controlledthrough the operation of the solenoid 61. It naturally follows that whenthe solenoid 61 is tie-energized its core 66 is released so that thespring 59 may again urge the driven clutch member 5! into engagementwith the mating driving clutch member 56 to again effect the drive ofthe boom I8;

In view of the fact that the boom I8 is relatively heavy and developessuiiicient momentum to continue rotation after the clutch 51 isdisengaged, particularly if one or both of the wheels iii are stilldriven, it is necessary to provide a braking means therefor. It is moreconvenient to associate this braking means with the upright drive shaft3'! in the form of a pair of friction blocks I0 (Figs. 3, 9 and 10),although other braking means may be employed. The blocks iii arepositioned on opposite sides of the shaft 31 and of a pin II mounted inthe base All; and an adjusting screw 12 extends through the blocks 10between the shaft 31 and the pin II. By this arrangement, the brakingblocks iii are held in frictional engagement with the shaft 31' whichengagement may be regulated by the screw 12 so as to apply sufficientfriction to slow the shaft 37 to a stop when the clutch 51 isdisengaged, but notto interfere with the rotation of the shaft 31, whenthe clutch 5'! is in driving engagement.

It has been found that if the worm gear 60 is fixed to the shaft 31 therotation of the boom I8 will start with a jerk as soon as the clutch 51is thrown into frictional engagement with the driving clutch 5B. Inorder to provide a smooth start for the boom i8, the worm gear 60 isfreely mounted on the upright shaft 31 but is drivingly connectedtherewith by a one-way clutch in the form of a helical spring i5 looselycoiled around the shaft 31 and having one end It fixed to the gear 60,as by screw 11. Thus when the gear fill is driven by the worm 46', itrevolves the end it of the spring I5 and therebytightens the coil f thspring 15 around the shaft 31 so asto grip and rotate it with the gear6.9. The gripping or clutching action of the spring .15 is relativelyslow, and also there is a small amount of slippage between it and theshaft 37, so that the rotation of the boom I8 is started gradually andwithout shock to the apparatus.

Due to the difference inv weight, and consequently the difference ofinertia or momentum of the wheels I 5 in comparison to the boom I8, theWheel drive and braking mechanism is considerably less complicated. Thelower ends of the upright shafts 3I each have a worm wheel .86 fixed.thereon which is adapted to mesh with the worms 45 respectively on theshaft 41. The lower end of each shaft BI is J'ournaled in one end of alever 8i that has its other end connected with the core 84 or a solenoid85 by a link 82 so as to be moved in one direction by said solenoidagainst the bias of a tension spring 82 also connected to the lever 8|.The lever 8| is mounted on a pivot 85 intermediate its ends so that thespring 83 urges the lever 8I about its pivot 86 to swing the gear 88into meshing engagement with the worm 45 whereas upon energization, thesolenoid 85 retracts its core 84 pulling the rod 82 to swing the lever8| about its pivot 86 and to move the gear 88 out of engagement with theworm 45,

In view of the fact that the shafts 3I are relatively light they may beloosely journaled in, and suspended from, the brackets 4| at their upperends to accommodate the swinging of their lower ends to engage ordisengage their gears 88 with the worms 45. In order to limit theswinging movement of the shafts 3| away from the worms 45, and also toform a stop or brake to prevent further rotation when the worm gears aredisengaged, a tooth or wedge member 81 is fixed diametrically oppositeeach of the worms 45, relative to the gears 88, so as to be engaged bythe teeth of the gears 88 when they are swung out of mesh with the worms45. Thus it will be seen that the springs 83 will normally retain thegears 88 in mesh with the worms 45 to drive the respective wheels I5,but, upon energization, the solenoid 85 retracts the gears 88 from theworms 45 and into engagement with the stops 8'! so that the drive forthe wheels I5 is not only halted, but further rotation is prevented.

Even though the wheel drive shafts 3I are held stationary by havingtheir worm gears 88 en-- aged with the stops 81, the rotation of thewheels I5 will not necessarily be halted. If the drive of the boom I8 iscontinued, then the wheels I5 will be rotated at a speed that issomewhat slower than their normal speed. This is due to the fact thatthe bevel pinions 38 mounted on the shafts 3I are not withdrawn fromtheir respective double bevel gears 29 and therefore hold these gearsstationary. The bevel pinions 38 are barely moved when the shafts 3| areswung to braking position because said shafts are fulcrumed in the uppersupporting brackets 4| and the bevel pinions 38, being positionedimmediately adjacent the brackets 4 I, are subject to a very smallmovement. As these bevel pinions are not moved sufllciently to disengagethem from their respective double bevel gears 29, the gears 29 will belocked with their respective shafts 3! when said shafts are heldstationary by the stops 81. If the rotation of the boom I8 is continuedwhen the double bevel gears 29 are held stationary, the radial shafts 21will be revolved with the boom I8 and rotated by their bevel pinions 28as said pinions travel around their respective double bevel gears 29. Ofcourse, if the shafts 21 are rotated, then the wheels I5 will berotated.

It naturally follows that the speed of this rotation will be somewhatless than the normal driving speed. It will be understood that eitherone of the wheels may be controlled in this manner while the other isdriven at normal speed. It will therefore be seen that either or both ofthe wheels I5 may be driven at a normal rate of speed, either while theboom is driven or held stationary, or that either or both of the wheelsI5 may be driven at a slower speed while the boom is driven, or thewheels I5 and the boom I8 may all the held stationary. Of course, bychanging the relative position of the fulcrums r the boom I8 and wheelsI5.

for the shafts 3|, the pinions 38 could be disengaged from the gears 29and thereby stop driving rotation of the wheels I5, as the gears 29would be rotated with the boom shaft I8, due to friction, and therewould be no relative movement between gears 28 and the pinions 28.According to the present disclosure, the arrangement is such that thewheels and the boom are normally in driving engagement and may havetheir drives disconnected only by the positive operation of a suitabledisconnecting or braking means. This arrangement is preferred becausethe device may be completely disconnected, as by a master switch, whenit is not in use. It is obvious, however, that the arrangement couldbereversed, with the rotatable elements normally out of drivingconnection but positively engaged by suitable control mechanism.

In machines of lighter construction, a modified arrangement may beemployed for driving This arrangement is more economical in design dueto its simplicity of construction. The basic principle of thismodification comprises the swingable mountin of all three of the uprightdrive shafts and the use of beveled gears rather than worms and wormgears. This arrangement permits the po sitioning of the three uprightshafts in line directly above the horizontal drive shaft which may beparallel to the axis of the boom I8. This modified structure is shown inFigs, 12 and 13, wherein the horizontal drive shaft 41 is positionedcentrally between the legs of the tower ZI and has fast thereon twobevel gears 45' and one bevel gear 48'. The two bevel gears 45' aremounted in opposed relation to each other so as to drive said shafts 3Ia, respectively, in opposite directions to each other and thereby drivethe wheels I5 in the same direction, These two upright wheel driveshafts SI and the upright boom drive shaft 37 are mounted immediatelyabove the horizontal drive shaft 41 and have fast on their lower ends,respectively, bevel gears 88' and 68, to mesh with the bevel gears 45'and 46'.

A lever 8i is connected at one end with each of the upright wheel driveshafts Si, is pivotally mounted on a stud 88, and is connected at itsopposite ends between a spring 83 and the armature 84 of a solenoid 85.The spring 83 tends to pull the lever to engage each bevel gear 88' withits bevel gear 45 whereas the solenoid operates to disengage these bevelgears. It has been found that no brake member is necessary for the wheeldrive shafts in view of the fact that rotational friction is greaterthan the momentum created by the lightweight structure. A similararrangement is provided for the upright boom drive shaft 31 which isconnected with a lever 83' that is pivotally mounted on a stud 64 andconnected with a spring 59' and a rod 65 of the armature 88 of thesolenoid Bl. It has been found that it is preferable to provide a brakemeans for the boom drive shaft 31 because, regardless of its weight, thecontinued rotation of one of the wheels I5 tends to cause continuedrotation of the boom I8. Consequently, a brake member 18', such as a,toothed member, is positioned so as to be engaged by the bevel gear 68'when the latter is disengaged from the gear 48' on the power shaft 41.

In order to enhance the appearance and increase the attractiveness ofthe apparatus, it is desirable to position small electric lights on themovable parts of the apparatus so as to define, in lines of light, themovement of the parts when the device is in operation. For instance, asbest shown in Fig. 2, electric lamps 99 may be mounted in sockets 9|which are supported by the cross braces 92 of the wheels I5. The lampsiii? are of the small variety which ma be operated on a currentof 12volts or less and, consequently, in order to simplify construction, theymay be grounded by their sockets 9| directly to the cross braces 92 ofthe apparatus in view of the fact that the voltage is so small as to beharmless. Accordingly, but a single line is required to supply currentto the lamps 99 as the return circuit is effected through the apparatus.

. As best shown in Fig. 8, a single supply line 83 may be run up one ofthe structural me i.- bers of the tower 2I and connected by a screw 94to a spring finger contact 95 that bears on a button contact 96 mountedaxially on the end of the boom shaft IS. The boom shaft I9 is tubular sothat a line 91, which is connected with the contact 96, may extendthrough the center thereof to connect with branch Wires 98 which extendout through openings 99 in the shaft Walls and along the opposite sidesof the boom I8 to the opposite ends thereof. A spring finger contact I09is mounted at each end of the boom and on opposite sides thereof and isconnected as by screws IBI with its respective branch line 98. Thisstructure is shown in enlargement in Fig. 11. Each of these springfinger contacts I09] bear against button contacts I92 mounted axially onthe ends of the wheel shafts It. The wheel shafts are likewise tubularto accommodate a wire I83 which is in electrical connection with thebutton contact I02 and is connected to a plurality of radially extendingbranch lines I94 which are run out the spokes of thewheel I and acrossthe braces 92 to the sockets 9I. Obviously, the entire circuit isproperly insulated from the apparatus, with the exception of the lampsthat are grounded to the apparatus. The spring finger and buttoncontacts provide a simplified, economical, but highly efficient, meansfor transferring current between relatively movable members and therebyavoid the use of the more cornplicated and expensive brush and collectorring structure. tact system is highly efficient in the present instancedue to the fact that only one circuit is being transferred, there beingno return circuit, as such, due to the fact that the lamps are groundeddirectly to the apparatus. It will be understood that lamps may bemounted on any suitable part of the apparatus but the arrangement shownprovides two circles of light,v which circles move through a circularpath, and it is believed that this arrangement is the most desirable. rr

The device iss arranged that it may be controlled remotely, and,accordingly, a series of posts, or contacts, are mounted on the base andthey may be connected to suitable control members and to a suitablesource of current supply. For instance, as shown in Fig. 3, a series ofposts are mounted on an insulating plate H9 which is fixed on the base52. One post M is connected by line III to the motor ,5I. The next postS is connected by line M2 to one of the solenoids 85. The next post S isconnected by line II3 tothe solenoid 6-1. Another post S" may beconnected by line II4 to the other solenoid 85. Another post L,. forsupplying current to the lights 90, may be connected by the line I I5with the conductor 93 which extends up one of the structural membersof.the tower 2 I.

This spring finger and button con-- 10 As hereinbefore set forth, thelamps 90 are grounded through the apparatus to the base 52. This samesystem is employed for all of the electric apparatus in view of the factthat all of it is adapted to operate at a harmless current or 1 2 voltsor less and, accordingly, the motor 5|, solenoid ti and the solenoids 85are each grounded to the base 52 so that the return circuit for each ofthese elements is made through the base. Accordingly, a post G isconnectedby a line IIB with the base 52. It will be understoodthat'lines will run from each of the individual posts and from thecommon ground post G to the control member and source of supply for eachof the electrical elements. That is, lines will run from posts G and Lto a suitable switch and current source to control the operationv of thelights 99.

,Similarly lines will run from the posts G and S to a suitable switchand current source to con;- trol the respective solenoid 85.

A modification of the apparatus is shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 16. Thisstructure comprises the usual single wheeled type of Ferris wheel andincludes a Wheel I251 that pivotally supports passenger carriers I2I1 atspaced points about its periphery, and is fixed on a tubular shaft I22that is journaled in spaced bearing plates I23 supported by spaced towerelements I24 that are mounted on a base I25. A bevel gear I26 is fixedon the tubular shaft I22 and meshes with a bevel pinion I27 carried by avertical shaft I23 that also has fixed thereon, a worm gear I29 that isin mesh. with a worm I39 fixed on the shaft $32 of a motor I33. LightsI34 are seated in socleets I35 that are supported by, and grounded to,cross braces I36 of the wheel I29.

Both the lights and the motor are grounded through the apparatus to aground terminal; G,

to a line I'sI extending throughv part of said shaft I22 and branchingradially in lines I42 which extend along the spokes 0f the wheel I29 andacross the braces I36 to the lamp sockets I 35.

The advantage'of' this structure resides principally in its simplicityof arrangement and economy of" parts. For instance, but a single driveshaft 128 extends between. the motor I33 and the wheel shaft I22, thedrive shaft I28 being. con.-

nected directly to the motor drive by its worm gear I29. Simplicity ofwiring or current supply is also a feature in that a single line extendsto the lights, thereby enabling the use of the simple rotary contactemploying but a single spring finger that bears axiall on a pivotallymounted button. It will be understood that wires will extend from theground G and from each of the terminals M and L to respective controldevices and current supply, whereby the apparatus may be remotelycontrolled in its operation.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention are shown anddescribed, it is obvious that manyimodifications thereof are possible.The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as isnecessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

That which is claimed. as new is:

1. An amusement device comprising a stand ard, a supporting elementmounted on; said 11 standard for rotatable movement about a horizontalaxis, a plurality of supporting members mounted on said supportingelement for rotatable movement about horizontal axes, each havingcarriers pivotally mounted thereon, a motor, drive means connecting saidmotor with said supporting element and each of said supporting membersto cause them to rotate about their axes,

and means for separately disconnecting the drive means for said elementand for each of said members'.

2. An amusement device comprising a standard, a supporting elementmounted on said standard for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis,a plurality of supporting members mounted on said supporting element forrotatable movement about horizontal axes, each having carriers pivotallymounted thereon, a motor, drive means connecting said motor with saidsupporting element and each of said supporting members to cause them torotate about their axes, and

electromagnetic means for separately disconnecting the drive means forsaid element and for each of said members.

3. An amusement device comprising a standard, a supporting elementmounted on said standard for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis,a plurality of supporting members mounted on said supporting element forrotatable movement about horizontal axes, each having carriers pivotallymounted thereon, a motor, drive means connecting said motor with saidsupporting element and each of said supporting members to cause them torotate about their axes, means for separately disconnecting the drivemeans for said element and for each of said members, and brake means forpreventing free rotation of said element and of said members when theirrespective drives are disconnected.

4. An amusement device comprising a standard, a supporting elementmounted on said standard for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis,a plurality of supporting members mounted on said supporting element forrotatable movement about horizontal axes, each hav- 'ing carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor,

drive means connecting said motor with said supporting element and eachof said supporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes,means for separately disconnecting the drive means for said element andfor each of said members, and brake means cooperative with the drivemeans for said rotatable element and for each of said rotatable membersfor preventing free rotation of said element andof said members whentheir respective drives are disconnected.

5. An amusement device comprising a standard, a supporting elementmounted on said standard for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis,a plurality of supporting members mounted on said supporting element forrotatable movement about horizontal axes, each hav ing carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor, drive means connecting said motorwith said supporting element and each of said supporting members tocause them to rotate about their axes, electromagnetic means forseparately disconnecting the drive means for said element and for eachof said members, and brake means operative with the drive means for saidrotatable element and for each of said rotatable parts for preventingfree rotation of said element and of said members when their respectivedrives are disconnected.

6. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mountedadjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatable movementabout horizontal axes, each of said supporting members having carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor,drive means for rotatively driving said supporting element and each ofsaid supporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes andincluding upright shafts adjacent said standard and connected with saidpower shaft, and means for selectively disconnecting the drive of saidupright shafts from that of said power shaft.

7. Amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supporting elementmounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movement about ahorizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mounted adjacent theedges of said supporting element for rotatable movement about horizontalaxes, each of said supporting members having carriers pivotally mountedthereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor, drive means forrotatively driving said supporting element and each of said supportingmembers to cause them to rotate about their axes and including uprightshafts adjacent said standard and connected with said power shaft, meansfor selectively disconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from thatof said power shaft, and brake means cooperative with the upright shaftsfor preventing free rotation of said element or of any of said memberswhen their respective drive is disconnected.

8. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movementabout a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mountedadjacent the edges of said supporting elementsfor rotatable movementabout horizontal axes, each of said supporting members having carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor,drive means for rotatively driving said supporting element and each ofsaid supporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes andincluding upright shafts adjacent said standard and connected with saidpower shaft, one of said upright shafts being pendulously journaledadjacent its upper end and carrying means at its lower end forengagement with and to be driven by said power shaft, and means forseparately disconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from that ofsaid power shaft and including means for swinging said pendulous shaftaway from said power shaft.

9. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movementabout a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mountedadjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatable movementabout horizontal axes, each of said supporting members having carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor,drive means for rotatively driving said supporting element and each ofsaid supporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes andincluding upright shafts adjacent said standard and connected with saidpower shaft, one of said upright shafts being pendulously journaledadjacent its upper end and carrying means at its lower end forengagement with and to be driven by said power shaft, means forseparately disconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from that ofsaid power shaft and including means for swinging said pendulous shaftaway from said power shaft, and brake means cooperative with the uprightdriven shafts for preventing free rotation of said element or of eitherof said members when their respective drives are disconnected andincluding a stop positioned for engagement by said engaging means whensaid pendulous shaft is swung away from said power shaft.

10. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper ends of said standard for rotatablemovement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting membersmounted adjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatablemovement about horizontal axes, each of said supporting members havingcarriers pivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven bysaid motor, a clutch including a driving member fixed on said shaft anda driven member normally engaging said driving member, driving means forrotatively driving said supporting ele ment and each of said supportingmembers to cause them to rotate about their axes and including uprightshafts adjacent said standard and connected with said power shaft, oneof said upright shafts having a driving engagement with said drivenclutch member, and means for separately disconnecting the drive of saidupright shafts from that of said power shaft and including means fordisengaging said clutch members.

11. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper ends of said standard for rotatablemovement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting membersmounted adjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatablemovement about horizontal axes, each of said supporting members havingcarriers pivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven bysaid motor, a clutch including a driving member fixed on said shaft anda driven member normally engaging said driving member, driving means forrotatively driving said supporting element and each of said supportingmembers to cause them to rotate about their axes and including uprightshafts adjacent said standard and connected with said power shaft, oneof said upright shafts having a driving engagement with said drivenclutch member, means for separately disconnecting the drive of saidupright shafts from that of said power shaft and including means fordisengaging said clutch members, brake means cooperative with theupright shafts for preventing free rotation of any of said members whentheir respective drives are disconnected,

and brake means for said clutch driven upright shaft comprising afriction brake which is constantly in frictional engagement with saidshaft.

12. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper ends of said standard for rotatablemovement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting membersmounted adjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatable movement about horizontal axes, each of said supporting members havingcarriers pivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven bysaid motor, a clutch including a driving member fixed on said shaft anda driven member normally engaging said driving member, driving means forrotatively driving said supporting element and each of said supportingmembers to cause them to rotate about their axes and including uprightshafts adjacent said standard and connected with said power shaft, theupright shaft included in the drive for said supporting element havingmeans freely mounted thereon and in driving engagement with said drivenclutch member, a delayed action clutch means drivingly connecting saidupright shaft and said loosely mounted means, and means for separatelydisconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from that of said powershaft and including means for disengaging said clutch members.

13. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper ends of said standard for rotatablemovement about a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting membersmounted adjacent the edges of said supporting element for rotatablemovement about horizontal axes, each of said supporting members havingcarriers pivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven bysaid motor, a clutch including a driving member fixed on said shaft anda driven member normally engaging said driving. member, driving meansfor rotatively driving said supporting element and each of saidsupporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes andincluding upright shafts adjacent said standard and connected with saidpower shaft, the upright shaft included in the drive for said supportingelement having means freely mounted thereon and in driving engagementwith said driven clutch member, a delayed action clutch mean-s drivinglyconnecting said upright shaft and said freely mounted means, means forseparately disconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from that ofsaid power shaft and including means for disengaging said clutchmembers, brake means cooperative with the upright shafts for preventingfree rotation of any of said members when their respective drives aredisconnected, and brake means for said element driving upright shaftcomprising a friction brake which is constantly in frictional engagementwith said shaft.

14. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a horizontalshaft journaled in the upper end of said standard, a supporting elementmounted on said horizontal shaft for rotatable movement therewith, aplurality of supporting members mounted adjacent the edges of saidsupporting element for rotatable movement about horizontal axes, each ofsaid supporting members having carriers pivotally mounted thereon, amotor, a plurality of drive transfer means freely mounted i011 saidhorizontal shaft, one for each supportin member, a plurality of radiallydisposed shafts carried by said supporting element, each drivinglyconnecting one of said transfer means and one of said supportingmembers, and a plurality of upright shafts adjacent said standard anddrivingly connected with said motor, one of said upright shafts having adriving connection with said horizontal shaft to drive said supportingelement and each of the other upright shafts having a driving connectionwith one of said transfer means to drive its respective supportingmember.

15. An amusement device comprising an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movementabout a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mountedadjacent the edges of said supp rting element for rotatable moveinentabout horizontal axes, each of said supporting members having carrierspivotally mounted.

thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor, drive means forrotatively driving said supporting element and each of said supportingmembers to cause them to rotate about their axes and including uprightshafts adjacent said stand ard and connected with said power shaft, saidupright shafts being pendulously adjacent their upper ends and carryingmeans at their lower ends for engagement with connecting means on saidpower shaft, and means for separately disconnecting the drive of saidupright shafts from that of said power shaft and including means forswinging said pendulous shafts away from said power shaft connectingmeans.

16. An amusement device comprising, an upright standard, a supportingelement mounted on the upper end of said standard for rotatable movementabout a horizontal axis, a plurality of supporting members mountedadjacent the edges of said supportin element for rotatable movementabout horizontal axes, each of said supporting members having carrierspivotally mounted thereon, a motor, a power shaft driven by said motor,drive means for rotatively driving said supporting element and each ofsaid supporting members to cause them to rotate about their axes andincluding upright shafts adjacent said standard and connected with saidpower shaft, said upright shafts being pendulously journaled ad.- jacenttheir upper ends and carrying means at their lower ends for engagementwith connecting means on said power shaft, means for separatelydisconnecting the drive of said upright shafts from that of said powershaft and including means for swinging said pendulous shafts away fromsaid power shaft connecting means, and brake means cooperative with theconnecting means on the upright shaft for driving said supportingelement for preventing free rotation of said element when its drive, isdisconnected.

CHARLES L. MCBRIDE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 900,820 Becker Oct. 13, 1908 11,561,073 Hanson Nov. 10, 1925 2,229,966 Eyerly Jan. 28, 1941 2,249,076Courtney July 15, 1941

